Currently ....

O.k I have see this around and thought it was fun.  Want to join along? Just copy and paste the questions and answer them on your blog. I'd love to see what you are currently up to.

Current Books: O.k so I have like 3 going but the only one I am reading regularly is 1 Peter in the bible.  I can hear the sarcastic thoughts already but seriously it is.  I will be honest and say that it is ONLY because I have been working very hard to stay on track with my daily devotionals.

Current Play list: Adele. I never get tired of her music and she's got an amazing voice.

Current Color: Red, red, red! I love red

Current Drink: Water.  Trying to shedded those extra "Christmas" pounds so I am cutting the empty calories.

Current Food: Food what is that?  Oh you mean all that firm green stuff (broccoli) that is in the crispy ligther green stuff (lettuce)....yeah I am over it! See reason above

Current Wish list: That my Aunt would come and just tell me what to do in my dinning room as far as my windows.  It is a very awkward space and I can not make up my mind!

Current Needs: Some may not see this as a need but SHOES!  I haven't actually be able to go shoe shopping in like 6 months and for a shoe addict like me that is just unacceptable.

Current Triumph: I'm really happy that I got back into a regular devotion schedule instead of hit and miss. Its been wonderful to have some quiet time with the Lord each morning.

Current Bane of my Existence: the 6:30 alarm! I AM NOT a morning person, but the world seems to be. Why can't school start at 10am instead of 8am? huh? why? it did in Oregon! is there any earthly reason not to let us night owls get some much needed rest? huh? sigh .... I know I'll never change this world, but if I could .....

Current Indulgence: a nap! see above ...

Current Mood: sleepy! (not really). Happy, content.  The most at peace that I have been in a long time.

Current #1 Blessing: Being perfectly happy with life.

Current Outfit: Jeans, short sleeve youth shirt, zipper hoodie that Margaret got me in Vegas and my FAVORITE pair of slippers that my uncle got me for Christmas 2 years ago.  And yet I am still cold....

Current Excitement: My plans with my husband....we are actually getting a weekend away!  Can you believe it?!?!?!  Our 1st since Sydnee has been with us.

So how 'bout you? What are your 'currents'?

A bittersweet moment....

Many of you probably do not know but my mother passed away on December 7th 15 years ago.  I was young and have had to grow up without her.  One of the hardest things for me truthfully is that most of the people that I hold so dear have never met her.  It is sad because she never got a caught to met them but also they do not know her.  It can be a lonely feeling. 

This December it was a snow day for the kids and with them home I was distracted.  Paul went into work until mid afternoon and when he came home he had gotten me flowers and had stuff to make chicken alfredo.  This was so sweet on so many levels!  

First of all it meant that I wasn't going to have to cook lunch, hehehe.  O.k so on an honest level I was so touched that he remember ON HIS OWN.  To me it meant he respected how much she meant to me and that I never wanted to forgot her.  Also my BFF would take me to Olive Garden and we would have chicken alfredo (a very good comfort food) with bread sticks and salad and dessert and then maybe a sack in the car on the way home...ok now looking back I may have been eating away my grief with my friend as a safe person who wouldn't judge me as I was eating half a cheese cake.  He was recognizing that not only was I mourning my mother but also a great friend that was no longer right down the road to hit up our favorite restaurant.

There are days that you feel like your husband isn't listening to you or that he doesn't understand any female emotions.  And then they do something that makes you remember how awesome they are, that is bittersweet.

By the way, do not judge me on how I look in this picture.  This is my rockin "hot momma who is staying at home with the kids all day" look.  Also Trent took this picture....didn't he do a great job??

How to Survive Being a Youth Pastors Wife

1.  You never laugh AT your husband ALWAYS with him.  When they decide to dance with a trash can on their head.  You hold your head up high and tell him how funny he is.

.  When they fall asleep mid-day, let them sleep.  No matter how much sugar and caffeine they ingest they will never have the stamina of a 16 years old so when they crash, they need it.

3.  Once in awhile you will have to remind them they can not fly.  Do this gently!  One of the reasons they enjoy youth ministry is because they get to act like superman at times.

4.  Yes that is Paul with a Mohawk.  Youth pastors will do whatever they need to do to get their students attention.  So when they do something over the top be proud that they care so much that they are willing to go the extra mile.

5.  When parents walk in on a game that may have gotten side tracked help remind them that the kids are having fun and their youth pastor would never hurt them intentionally.  

6.  Just because they grow and get older do not expect them to treat their clothes any better.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS have back ups.

7.  Remember that they are working for the Lord, so pray.  Not only for your husband but also all of the students that they ministering to.  It is our jobs to laugh, be prepared and love them.  If you do this right the ride is a GREAT ONE!

Wide awake at 4 a.m

     At 4 this morning my mind decided that it should think about all the possibilities in life.  Does this ever happen to you?  As I was laying in bed trying to "will" myself to sleep it dawned on me that it wasn't my fault that I was up this early but my children's!  (Anything not to accept responsibility.)  I was thinking about them this morning and worrying about how they would succeed in life.  This Sunday the sermon was on Matthew Ch. 6 where Jesus teaches "Not to Worry."  This is a great chapter and it basically says if God would take care of the birds and flowers why would he not take care of you, so have faith!  So I ask does this mean I am not strong in my faith, that I allow myself to loose sleep over things I have very little control over?  I like to think not.  


     My husband tells me all the time, "Laura don't worry about it.  Give it to God and let it go."  I will be honest with you here as he is saying it I am mocking him (love you Honey!) in my head.  Don't you think I have thought about that....it isn't that easy.  My greatest gifts in life happen to be my biggest challenges; Trent and Sydnee.  They bring so much joy to my life I wouldn't have had it any other way; however,  the Big Guy upstairs and I will talk about including a manual with these gifts.  Bottom line:  I have to remember that God does not walk along side us when we are in need.  If we let him he will carry us through it.  My children were his before they were mine.  So come on Laura....HAVE FAITH!